D. Zmirou et al., Personal exposure to atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a general adult population and lung cancer risk assessment, J OCCUP ENV, 42(2), 2000, pp. 121-126
Citations number
46
Categorie Soggetti
Envirnomentale Medicine & Public Health
Journal title
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE
Personal exposure to nine particulate-phase atmospheric polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAHs) was assessed among adult non-smoking volunteers in the
Grenoble, France, metropolitan area. Using Toxic Equivalency Factors, the
associated total atmospheric PAHs lifelong cancer risk was estimated. For 4
8 hours continuously, 38 subjects without specific occupational exposure to
combustion sources carried a PM2.5 particles personal exposure monitor whi
le at home, at work, commuting, or involved in other activities. One phase
of the study took place in summer; a second in winter. The monitor set was
composed of a pump with an airflow of 4 L.mn-1, a 2.5-mu m cyclone, and Tef
lon filters. The PAH concentrations were determined on seven PM2.5 filters
by using high performance liquid chromatography with fluorimetric detection
. The predominant PAHs are fluoranthene and indeno pyrene. According to the
compound, the personal exposure estimates ranged from 0.13 to 1.67 ng/m(3)
(yearly means). The average benzo(a) pyrene value is 0.67 ng/m(3) (95% con
fidence interval = 0 to 2.1 ng/m(3)). Winter exposures were 3 to 25 times g
reater than summer exposures. the total PAHs lung cancer lifelong risk is 7
.8 10(-5) and is driven by exposure to benzo(a) pyrene. Although these risk
estimates are 2 to 3 orders of magnitude lower than those associated with
specific occupational exposures in the coal or smelter industries, they are
of public health concern because they are spread over large urban populati
ons. Further personal exposure studies in adult or children populations are
needed.